Vice President of Innovation

The VP of Innovation, as a part of the Wright Brother’s Institute’s (WBI) Leadership team, is responsible for all aspects of leading, managing and developing WBI’s Innovation Services program and developing WBI’s customer base within the Air Force and DoD. 

Essential Functions

·        Identifies key customer problems that could benefit from AFRL technologies, subject

matter expertise and testing capabilities; AF/DoD/NASA/DoE SBIR-company technologies and manufacturing capabilities; WBI innovation capabilities; or other AFRL Innovation Institute and DoD PIA capabilities.   

·        Serves as a solution architect to propose projects with innovative approaches to address

customer problems. 

·        Manages and executes the entire end-to-end selling process, (initial lead inquiry,

qualification of opportunities, requirements gathering, project scope definition, proposal development, Project Description creation, contract negotiation, and closing).

·        Executes selected projects that have strong innovation elements and provide solutions to warfighter challenges.

·        Manages the overall relationship and communication with key clients and has full

command of their business model, application landscape, and how WBI’s solutions deliver value.

·        Manages the customer expectations to deliver innovative solutions that effectively

address the customer’s needs.

·        Develops and manages a budget and metrics that are aligned to WBI’s priorities; and

provides status reports on accomplishments, expenditures versus budget, and metrics.

·        Supervises and mentors direct reports and supports interns with the goal of building a

high-performing team.

·        Supports broader WBI strategic planning, policy development, special initiatives

and supports the overall health and priorities of the Institute.

·        Leads WBI’s Innovation Services to embody leading-edge disruptive innovation

practices by proactively engaging in strategic planning, policy development and

execution of innovation programming.

·        Develops and executes WBI’s innovation strategy in collaboration with the team,

community, business, and defense stakeholders

·        Identifies emerging innovative practices and trends to add value to the Air Force/Air

Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), and regional economic development and can introduce these to the appropriate client.

·        Creates a comprehensive service capability that spans Ideation; Market Research and Technology landscaping; Concept development; Testing and validation; Commercialization; and Acquisition.

·        Build an impactful network of innovators from the international, national and regional

business, R&D, and defense communities.

·        Supports WBI’s values, mission, and vision through development and execution of

strategy, policy, and services.

·        Leads, encourages, and integrates a high-performance team with diverse talents in a

non-traditional work environment.

·        Promotes learning and professional development that both aligns with WBI strategic

objectives and challenges the individual.

·        Maintains an environment of experimentation and out-of-the-box thinking.

·        Serves as a member of the WBI leadership team.

Education & Experience

1.   Undergraduate degree in a related field (business, engineering, or scientific). An MBA degree is highly desirable.  

2.   Minimum of 10 years industry experience in services sales or professional consulting experience for innovation services, technology, science or R&D organization. Demonstrated experience in the following areas:

a.   Working as part of a high-performance team

b.   Understanding customer needs and developing tailored approaches to address them

c.    Expertise with structured sales methodologies, e.g., Strategic Selling, Solution Selling, SPIN, Power Based Selling, Target Account Selling

d.   Managing fast-paced, tech-driven programs

3.   Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.

4.   Working knowledge of the Department of Defense ecosystem is highly desired.

5.   Must be a U.S. Citizen.

Working Conditions

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. Travel is required to local, Ohio and national activities.

Mental/Physical Conditions

·        Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents. 

·        Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables. 

·        Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. 

·        Ability to apply basic mathematical and statistical concepts. 

·        Ability to regularly talk, hear, stand; walk; handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms

EEO/AAP Statement

Wright Brothers Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military and veteran status and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Please send resume to beth.mitrousis@wbi-innovates.com for consideration.